Sony WH-1000XM6 vs JBL Live 780NC: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Tested using Methodology v2.2

Updated May 22, 2026 07:31 PM

Tested using Methodology v2.2

Updated May 06, 2026 04:21 PM

Sony WH-1000XM6 Picture

JBL Live 780NC Picture

TypeOver-ear

Noise CancellingYes

EnclosureClosed-Back

Bass Amount Very Emphasized (5 dB)

WirelessYes

Treble Amount Balanced (-1 dB)

MicYes

Sound Signature Warm

TypeOver-ear

Noise CancellingYes

EnclosureClosed-Back

Bass Amount Very Emphasized (6 dB)

WirelessYes

Treble Amount Balanced (-1 dB)

MicYes

Sound Signature ≈ Boosted Bass

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Our Verdict

Sony WH-1000XM6

JBL Live 780NC

The JBL Live 780NC are a solid, cheaper alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM6. The JBL's ANC gets relatively close to the Sony's, though it's lacking in mid-range attenuation against noise like background chatter. The JBL aren't as comfortable, though neither product excels at either. Still, the JBL have a longer 60.5-hour battery life, compared to the Sony's 31.75. If you're okay with other tradeoffs like a soft case rather than a hard shell one, the JBL provide similar software features like spatial audio and the same support for LDAC and LC3 codecs.

Variants

WH-1000XM6 (Black)
WH-1000XM6 (Midnight Blue)

Live 780NC (Black)
Live 780NC (Blue)

Review

See Sony WH-1000XM6 Review

See JBL Live 780NC Review

Check Price

Black

WH-1000XM6

Black

Live 780NC

Midnight Blue

WH-1000XM6

Blue

Live 780NC

Platinum Silver

WH-1000XM6

Green

Live 780NC

Sand

Live 780NC

White

Live 780NC

Main Differences for

Sports And Fitness

Threshold

0.10

Sports And Fitness

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

Sports And Fitness

0.0

0.0

Travel

0.0

0.0

Office Work

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Audio Reproduction Accuracy

0.0

0.0

Noise Isolation

0.0

0.0

Microphone (In Development)

0.0

0.0

Frequency Response Consistency

0.0

0.0

Sound

Sound Profile

Sound Profile

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Normalization Frequency

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Bass Amount

Locked

Locked

Treble Amount

Locked

Locked

Sound Signature

Locked

Locked

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Sony WH-1000XM6 Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Sony WH-1000XM6 Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Sony WH-1000XM6 Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Sony WH-1000XM6 Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Bass Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Profile: Target Compliance

N/A

N/A

Treble Profile: Target Compliance

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

RMS Deviation From Target

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Sony WH-1000XM6 Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Stereo Mismatch

N/A

N/A

Frequency Response Mismatch

Sony WH-1000XM6 Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Frequency Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

Sony WH-1000XM6 Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock dB

Lock dB

Weighted Frequency Response Mismatch

Lock dB

Lock dB

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock°

Lock°

PRTF

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Sony WH-1000XM6 PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (RMS Deviation)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Distance

Lock dB

Lock dB

Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Harmonics Levels

Sony WH-1000XM6 Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Harmonics Levels Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

THD Ratio

Sony WH-1000XM6 THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC THD Ratio Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 94 dB SPL

Lock%

Lock%

WHD @ 104 dB SPL

Lock%

Lock%

Electrical Aspects

Impedance

Sony WH-1000XM6 Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Impedance Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Sensitivity @1kHz-1V

Lock dB SPL

N/A

Bluetooth Max SPL

Lock dB

Lock dB

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

Sony WH-1000XM6 Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

Test Instrument

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Sony WH-1000XM6 Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

N/A

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

N/A

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

N/A

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

N/A

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation

Noise Isolation - Full Range

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph

Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Noise Isolation - Full Range Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph

Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Airplane Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Airplane Noise Isolation Audio

Office Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Office Noise Isolation Audio

Street Noise Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Street Noise Isolation Audio

Noise Isolation - Voice Handling

Female Voice 1

Male Voice 1

Female Voice 2

Male Voice 2

ANC Wind Handling

ANC Wind Handling Graph

Sony WH-1000XM6 ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC ANC Wind Handling Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

ANC Wind Noise

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Sony WH-1000XM6 Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Sony WH-1000XM6 Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

Lock dB

HFE

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

N/A

N/A

Gain

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Sony WH-1000XM6 SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SpNR

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Gate

Locked

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

0.0

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

Lock

Lock

Total Battery Life

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Charge Time

Lock hrs

Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Connectivity

Wired Connection

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Sony WH-1000XM6 Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

JBL Live 780NC Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector

Locked

Locked

Latency - Analog

Lock ms

Lock ms

Latency - USB

N/A

N/A

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Connection

Locked

Locked

Bluetooth Connection

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

Quick Pair (Android)

Locked

Locked

Quick Pair (iOS)

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Latency - SBC

Lock ms

Lock ms

Latency - aptX

N/A

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (High Quality)

N/A

N/A

Latency - aptX Adaptive (Low Latency)

N/A

N/A

Latency - LDAC

Lock ms

Lock ms

Recorded Latency

Recorded Latency Codec

Locked

Locked

AAC Support

Locked

Locked

Wireless Connection (Dongle)

N/A

N/A

Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Latency - Dongle

N/A

N/A

Recorded Latency

PC Compatibility

Analog

Locked

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PlayStation Compatibility

PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PS5 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Check Price

Black

WH-1000XM6

Black

Live 780NC

Midnight Blue

WH-1000XM6

Blue

Live 780NC

Platinum Silver

WH-1000XM6

Green

Live 780NC

Sand

Live 780NC

White

Live 780NC

Sony WH-1000XM6

JBL Live 780NC

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 1 month ago

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs JBL Live 780NC: Main Discussion

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